Dental instrument



July 2l, 1925. 1,546,423

F. L. WILLIAMS DENTAL INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. 9, l922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1v l g l 26 LJ mlm .s475 f' INVENTOR. L l/V/LL/AMS j @AHORA/Lv.

July 21, 1925. 1,546,423

F. L. WILLIAMS DENTAL INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. 9, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,Wy/Z. v

INVENTOR. FL WML/AMS ATTORNEY.

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@luigi El, i225.

FRANK L. VIILLIAMS, F DENVER, COLORADO.

DENTAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed August 9, 1922. Serial No. 580,717.

To ZZ fui/mm. 'it muy concern.:

lle it known that l, Vianini li. Mulini-wire,

n citizen of the United vtates, residing at l? ie in the county ot' Denver and State o have invented certain new and 1..: l'u ts in llental Instruments, ot which Vhe following is a spec-ilication.

lily invention rentes to dental instruments ot the type shown and described in my apier j' Ltent. Serial Numbers "f, tiled April 5, i921, and A .'nary object is to provide certain improvementsI in the construction and arrangement ot' tlie eri-operating parts ot an instrument ot the above described character which simpliijY its production, 'facilitate its operation and enhance the accuracy et the placements produced by relative adjustment of its measuring devices,

Tv 1th this object in view, my invention resides in the details of construction and arrangement ot parts illustrated in the accompan drawings in which like characers in reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which- Aigure l is a side elevation oi" the improved instrument 5 Figure 2,. a plan view o't' one of the modelholdn'ig i bers looliing in the direction oii the arrows 2, Figure l;

i gure 3, an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper portion of the vertically adjustable standard oi the supporting element ot the instrument showing the application tl ieret-o ot an upper model-holding member "for cri-operation with the relatively v lower one;

stationar /giu'e 4t, a still further enlarged section on the line i-*4, Figu'fe 3;

FTigg/f re "l, a fragmentary end view looking in the direction or' the arrow 3 in Figure l; Figure G, a sectioi7 taker along the line (f 1", nre 'l anc drawn 'to an enlarged a i f nentary elevation of the ,i the measuring device oic the instrument looking in the direction of the arrow 8 lfigure l, and drawn to an enlarged 'e Q, an enlarged plan view ot' the i tween the instrument proper and the clump by which it 1s mounted on a table or work bench, looking in the direction of the arrow 9, Figure l;

Figure l0, an enlarged section taken on the line lO--l(), Figure l, looking upwardly;

Figure ll, an enlarged section along the line ll-ll, Figure 8; and

Figure 12, a section taken on the line l2-l2, Figure G. y

Referring in detail to the drawings, the reference character 123 designates a Vstandard which through the medium of a threeway joint 14 is mounted on a clamp 15 by means of which the instrument is attached at the edge oi a table or work bench.

The joint permits of adjustment ot the standard so as to place the parts of the instrument and the dental models supported thereon, conveniently within easy reach of the operator.

The standard has a longitudinal slide way, best shown in Figure l2, in which a rack bar 1G is slidably fitted.

A pinion 17 on a shaft 18 which is supported in bearings 19 at the rear lside of the standard, meshes with ther-ack to provide for its up and downward adjustment through manipulation of a knurled head 2O at an end ot its shaft.

A nut 21 on the screw end of the shaftserves to its adjusted positions.

The standard and the rack bar conjointly constitute the element which serves to hold the members used for the support ot' dental models, relative to a common occlusal plane, and the measuring devices which in the practice of prosthesis, are employed to indicate the sizes, positions and angles of artificial teeth on one of the models.

With this object in view, the rack bar is provided with means to interchangeably attach the upper model holding member and the measuring element of the instrument, while the relatively stationary standard carries the lower model-clamp as will hereinafter be describedA in detail.

Each model clamp comprises 'a plate 22 provided with alined slots 23 for the adjustable support of a pair of co-operating aws which in practice engage with a dental model placed on the plate and secure it against relative displacement. Each jaw consists ot' a headed stud 24 which is rotatably supported on a slide block in t-he respective slot, as best shown in Figure 7 of threaded opposite clamp the bar in the drawings, and which carries at its upper end a removably fastened, downwardly curving claw 26.

A nut 27 on the threaded end of the stem, beneath the plate, and a spring washer 28 co-operate to yieldingly secure the stud relative to a model with which its claw engages.

The plate is furthermore provided with a plurality of headed leveling screws 29 which carry cup-shaped contact pieces 30 for engagement with the lower surface of a dental model secured on the plate by means of the co-operating clamps.

It will be seen that the clamps are adapted to bear down on the mod el to hold it to the plate while the screws permit of final adjustment of the model to accurately place the artificial teeth thereof in an occlusal plane determined by means of the measuring devices of the instrument.

ln addition to the above described fastening and adjusting devices, the plates of the model clamps have adjustable means for holding wax trial plates on the models, by engagement with the upper surfaces thereof.

In the construction shown in the drawings, these means consist of a pair of posts 31 which are slidably mounted in parallel slots 3,2 of the plate and which are fastened in a selected position by means of nuts 33 on their threaded protru ing ends.

Pivoted laterally projecting arms the upper ends of the posts are restricted in their upward movement by springs 35, and lingers 3.6 pivotally attached at the free ends of the arms, curve downwardly to engage with the trial plate on a model secured to the holding-vnember.

Each plate is adjustably mounted on a longitudinally slotted base 37 by means of a threaded stud 38 which extends centrally from a central bess 39 on the underside of the plate.

The boss rests against the surface of the base, and the stud projecting through the slot of the same, is provided with a nut 4 and a spring washer 4l to clamp the plate in its adjusted positions.

In order to accurately determine the. position of the plate on the base, the latterhas a graduatediscale 42 which co-operates with an index mark 43 on the boss of the plate, as shown in Figure 1. rlhe base of each model plate, which lpreferably is made in the form of a bar, has at one end an apertured knuckle 44 for its hinged connection with the bifurcated projection 45 of an arm 46 by which it is connected to the respective member of the holding element ofv the instrument.

rEhe hinge-connection is made through the medium of a headed pintle 47 in alined apertures of the parts of the knuckle joint, one of said apertures being tapped to co-operate with a screw thread on the pintle, as shown in Figure 5, to fasten thc bar in the positions to which it is adjusted through the instrumentality of a headed screw 48 which projects through a threaded aperture in the free end of the bar to engage with the corresponding end portion of the respective arm. Set-nuts 49 on the screw hold it against accidental rot-ation.

` The arm 46 of the lower model clamp is formed integrally at the lower end of the stationary standard 13 and that of the upper one is removably attached to an overhanging bracket 50 at the upper end of the rack bar.

rlhe arm 46 has to this end a transversely disposed segmental plate 5l which engages with a similarly formed upright plate 52 at the end of the bracket, and a longitudinally projecting pin 53 which tits into a correspondingly sized bore of the bracket.

A set screw 54 passing through a concentric arcuate slot 55 of the segmental plate of the arm into a screw-threaded aperture of the plate 52 fastens the one plate upon the other, the slot having at one end an enlargement 56 which permits of the plate being set in place without the removal of the set screw from the other plate.

A scale 57 at a beveled edge of the bracketplate co-operates with an index mark 58 on the corresponding edge of the other plate to accurately determine the position of the upper model-holder relative to the adjustable member of the holding elementon which it is mounted.

A fastening identical to that hereinbefore described, is employed to attach the measuring devices of the instrument at the end of the bracket.

A segmental plate 59 is in this case formed at the end of an arm 60 which at its opposite end carries the co-operating parts of the measuring devices. The latter' with the exception of one particular, are in form and relative arrangement similar to the corresponding element of the construction disc-losed in the last above mentioned applications for patent, and need be but briefly described to convey a complete understanding of the present invention.

A horizontal circular plate 6l fastened at the end of the arm 60 has on its beveled peripheral edge, a graduated scale to indi-` ate the relative positions of a subjacently extending rotary indica-tor 67.

rlhe latter is mounted to swing about a horizontalaxis on a headed pivot pin 64 which is rotatably fitted in a central aperture of the stationary plate, a nut G2 on a projecting?l screw-threaded end of the pin having been provided to clamp it in its adjusted position.

An index 63 on the head ofthe pin cooperates with the scale of the plate to designate the relative positions of the parts according to geometric calculations lil) lift) A segmental plate fastened on the head of the pivot pin extends alongside of the indicatorl in a plane parallel to its longitudinal axis and it bears at its peripheral edge, a graduated scale which in the operation of the instrument functions to indicate the angular position of the indicator relative to the vertical passing through its axis of rotation on the plate, by co-operation with an index 66 fastened to a part of the indicator.

lt is in the construction of the indicator that the present invention diil'ers somewhat from the constructions shown and described in the prior applications.

rl`he improved indicator which is shown in detail in Figures 8 and 1l of the drawings, consists oit' a tubular holder 68 which at its upper end is pivotally connected with t-he head of the pivot pin 64, and a pointer 6i) which is slidably fitted in the holder and protrudes through an opening at the lower end thereof. A set screw 70 in a threaded aperture of the holder engages with the pointer to clamp it in its adjusted positions, and an index 7l on the pointer projects through a. longitudinal slot 72 of the holder to co-operate with a graduated scale 73 formed alongside of the slot.

In order to determine the relative positions of the two members of the supporting element of the instrument, the rack bar carries a pointer 74 which projects through a recess in the tace of the relatively stationary standard to co-operate with a graduated scale 75 at a side of the slot.

This scale which in the operation o1" the instrument, is iixed in the standard, is relatively adjustable to enable the up and downward measurements to be calculated from a zero po-int the position of which varies according to that orn the occlusal plane of a dental model on the lower clamp-member.

The scale is to this end formed in a plate 76 which is slidably litted in the recess of the standard and which has a longitudinal slot for the protrusion of the index on the rack bar.

A set screw 7 7 in a threaded aperture of the standard at a side of its recess has a head engaging with the face of the scale to secure it in its adjusted positions, and a scale 78 on the face of the standard at an edge ot its recess, is provided to indicate the positions of the slide.

Having thus described the improvements in the construction and arrangement of the parts of the instrument, their advantages will be readily understood and appreciated by those versed in the art to which the invention appertains.

In the operation of the instrument, the occlusal plane of a dental model on the lower clamping member is determined by a swinging movement of the indicator about Vbracket of the rackbar, by the one to which the upper clamping member is secured.

that I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. An instrument of the character described conlprising a standard, means for fixing it in a projecting position on a support, an extension vertically adjustably mounted on the standard, means to eitect said adjustment,a model support fixed at the lower portion of the standard in a projecting position, and a measuring instrument eo-operative with said model support extending' from the upper end of the extension.

2. An instrument of the character described comprising an upright composed of two members one of which is vertically slidable relative to the other, a model support extending from said other member, a .second model support, and a measuring device each adapted for co-operation with the irst mentioned support in a superposed position, the second model support and the measuring device being adapted to be interchangeably attached at the upper end of the adjustable member of the upright, and means to eliect said attachment.

3. An instrument of the character described comprising an upright composed of two members one of which is vertically slidable relative to the other', a model support extending from said other member, an element co-operative with said modelA sup` port in a superposed position and adapted for attachment at the upper end of the adjustable member, and means vto eliiect said attachment, said element and said adjustable member bearing registering marks whereby one can be placed in a predetermined position relative to the other.

l. An instrument ol' the character described comprising an upright composed of two members one of which is vertically adjustable relative to the other, a model support on said other member, an element at the upper end of the adjustable member adapted for co-operation with said support in a superposed position, a vertically adjustable scale on one of the members and an index cooperating therewith on the other.

5. An instrument of the character described comprising an upright composed of -a supporting member and .a member which is vertically adjustable within the other, Aa modelsupport on the supporting member, an velement at the upper end of the adjust- -able member adapted for co-operation with the model support in a super-posed relation thereto, a slotted plate slidable on the supporting member and bearing a. graduated scale, means for securing said plate in its .adjusted positions, and an index on .the -adjustable member, extending through the slot of the plate and cooperating with the scale.

6. An instrument of the .character described ,comprising an upright composed of a supporting member `and a membe-r which is vertically adjustable relative to :the other, -a model support on Vthe supporting member, an element at the upper end of the adjustable .member adapted for .co-operation with said support vin ,a vsuperposed relationthereto, two co-operating scales `on lthe supporting .member one .of which is vertically adjustable with relation tothe other, and an index on the adjustable'member co-operatin'g wit-h the adjustable scale.

7. An instrument of the ycharacter described comprising a model support, and a measuring device co-operative with the model support in superposed relation thereto and including an indioatory `element composed of a tubular 'longitudinally slotted vholder bearing a graduated scale, a pointer slidable in the holder and carrying an lindex projecting through the slot thereof and cooperating w'ith the scale, and means to lock the pointer in its adjusted positions.

8. An instrument of the character described comprising a model support and a measuring device superposed thereon and including a pointer, the support having a base member pivoted for angular adjustment, means for'holding the member in adjusted positions, a model carrying plate slidable on the member to locate the model with relation to the pointer, and means for locking the plate in adjusted posit-ions.

9. fin instrument of the Vcharacter described comprising a model support and a measuring device superposed thereon and including a pointer, the support having a model carrying plate slidable to locate the model with relation to the pointer, a scale to predetermine the location of the plate, and means for fastening the plate in adf justed positions.

10. An instru-ment of the character described comprising an upright a model support thereon, an element superposed above said model support, a means for fastening the upright, and a connection between the upright and saidmeans including pivotal joints 4to permit of the movement of the upyinstrument in its superposed lessees right about a vertical axis and a relatively transverse axis.

1l. ln an instrumentI of the character described, a support, an armprojecting therefrom in a substantially horizontal position,

a base member pivoted on the arm on a horizontal axis for upward and downward adjust-ment, model fastening means on the member, 'and an adjusting screw loosely supporting the 'base member in its adjusted positions upon the arm.

l2. In an instrument of the character -described, a measuring instrument including v-a pointer having a circular movement about j a lixed axis, a model-support including a model holding member and connections between said model support and said model holding member whereby the latter may be adjusted to place a dental model fastened y.thereon in a' plane at a predetermined angle to said axis.

13. In an instrument of the character de scribed, a measuring instrument including a longitudinally extensible pointer having a circular movement about a iixed axis, a model support including a` model-holding :member .and connections between said model support and said model holding member whereby the latter may be adjusted to place -a dental model fastened thereon in a plane Lat a predetermined angle to said axis.

14. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a support for a .dental model, of a thereto super-posed instrument including a pointer and connections between said instrument and said point- .cr whereby the latterA may be adjusted to dii'iferent pointsfin the occlusal arch of a dental model on the support, and scalemeans co-operative with the pointer to desig nate'the position of the pointer in theocclusa'l arch according to predetermined measurements.

15. In an instrument of the character described, t-he combination with a holding element, of a support for a dental model,

.an instrument removably fastened on the holding element and including a pointer and connections between said instrument and said pointer whereby the latter may be adjusted to diffe-rent Vpoints in the occl-usal arch of a dental model cn the support, and scale-means cio-operative with the pointer to designate the position of the pointer in the occlusal arch according to predetermined measurements, and a second dental-model-support adapted to replace the relation to the lirst mentioned support. j ln testimony whereof l have affixed my signature.

FRANK L. VVILLAMS. i 

